By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Stakeholders from Kabawa community in Lokoja the Kogi State capital, on Monday, protested the activities of members of secret cults in their street.
NationalWatch observed that no fewer than 30 youths from the community lost their lives to cult activities, occassioned by rivalry among groups, since January last year.
The stakeholders, consisting elders, clerics and youths, moved round the streets in a campaign meant to strengthen the fight against cultism, killings and other social vices.
The protesters, who wielded placards during the protest march, lamented the increasing activities of cult groups among youths, saying it is posing threats to security in the community, especially in Lokoja.
Recently, a tricycle rider, Yusuf Mohammed who operated at Kuturu junction; a popular location in the street was gunned down by persons suspected to be members of rival cult group.
Placards carried by the protesting stakeholders had several inscriptions, including: ‘Stop Cultism and Criminality’, ‘Stop the Killings and Violence’, ‘Shun Cult Activities’, ‘We Want Peace and Security’, ‘Secure and Protect the Leaders of Tomorrow’, among others.
Coordinator of the group, who is also the Hakimi of Kabawa, Alh. Abdulkadir Yahaya, in an interview with journalists said: “Cultism is responsible for crime and violence which has complicated the already flawed security situation in the country.
“Nigerians must join in the awareness creation, sensitisation, advocacy, reorientation and mentoring processes to save children/youths from the claws of cultism and other vices.”
He lamented that cult groups have made the street unsafe, as they attack and kill innocent citizens, destroying properties engaging in armed robbery and drug abuse.
The Hakimi added: “If these menace is not tackled properly, it will continue to rise. It will also be good if more organisations join by taking steps like this or more, because it is an ill-wind that will blow nobody any good.
“All hands must be on deck to discourage cultism and its related activities for a safe, peaceful and secure society, ” he said.
Reacting to the security situation in the street, the Chief Imam of Isah Kutepa Central Mosque, Ustaz Yahaya Abubilat declared that Yahoo Plus, and every kind of cultism shall end in Lokoja.
“We prayed against the spirit of wickedness and lawlessness and that the youth would live a life that will bring glory to Allah, honour their parents and be a blessing to society.”
The group moved round the Upper Kabawa Road, Sardauna junction, new market Expressway and other highways in the community.
